Tie-pocket shirt

ABSTRACT

A Tie-Pocket Shirt including a front shirt panel and a pocket disposed on the front shirt panel. The pocket is disposed on the front shirt panel and includes a pocket body attached to the front shirt panel and a flap attached to the front shirt panel directly above the pocket body. The flap includes an under side and an outer side. When the flap and necktie are tucked into the pocket and disposed between the front shirt panel and the pocket body, the tie is held in place within the pocket

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of endeavor involves the clothing and apparel industry;specifically, ties worn in the work place and within environments wherethe protection of the tie and the safety of a user is a focal point. Oneof the factors that limits the ability to keep a tie from freelyswinging around and looking sloppy when walking or working, is the lackof being able to secure the end of the tie to the garment that the useris wearing. A fastened tie will remove the danger resulting from a tiebecoming caught in machines and the like. In addition, a fastened tiewill remove the possibility of the tie coming in contact with food whiledining.

Users may use the shirt itself to retain the free end of tie in a secureposition rather than employing an anchor, such as inserting the ends ofthe tie between buttons on a shirt. However, a twisted tie tuckedbetween the buttons may be considered sloppy dressing and may look bulkybehind a fine dress shirt or sweater vest.

Therefore, a product that facilitates easy and convenient securing offree ends of a neck accessory, such as a necktie, when working, diningout or the like, is desired. Specifically, a necktie securing member isdesired having a convenient construction on a shirt and allowingfashionable and secure attachment of ends of the necktie to the shirt.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment provides a tie-pocket shirt including a frontshirt panel and a pocket disposed on the front shirt panel. The pocketis disposed on the front shirt panel and includes a pocket body attachedto the front shirt panel and a flap attached to the front shirt paneldirectly above the pocket body. The flap includes an under side and anouter side. When the flap and necktie are tucked into the pocket anddisposed between the front shirt panel and the pocket body, the tie isheld in place within the pocket

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a pocket including a flap anda chain assembly anchored into the flap of the pocket;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a pocket including a flap ofthe pocket, as well as a chain assembly tucked into the pocket;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a pocket including a flappositioned flipped up and a chain assembly anchored to the flap;

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a shirt including a tie tuckedinto the pocket and a clip of the chain assembly visibly exposed in afront of the tie while still attached to the chain assembly;

FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a shirt including the tieexposed outside of the pocket while affixed by the chain assembly to theshirt; and the chain assembly attached to the pocket flap that is tuckedin to the pocket;

FIG. 6 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a shirt with the pocketflap exposed and the chain of the chain assembly hanging outside of thepocket and visible at a front of the pocket; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a shirt including a pocketwithout a securing means and a tie being secured by the pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventionare shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed asecond element, component, region, layer or section without departingfrom the teachings of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Designing a shirt with a pocket intended to secure the loose end of aneck tie should be both stylish and have a purpose for safety. Thepositioning of this pocket, such as in the lower mid section of a shirt(e.g., belly button region), provides the wearer with both uses. Inorder to enhance each use, a well designed flap and pocket set can beboth decorative and purposeful.

Whereas long neck ties can create hazardous conditions next to certainmachinery and equipment, a chain assembly can provide greaterprotection, as well as fashion, especially in a manufacturing workenvironment. The chain assembly may include a combination of a pinassembly and/or a chain. Rather then relying on a tie-tack to keep theloose ends of a tie from freely dangling from the wearer's neck, itwould be advantageous to provide the wearer with a shirt that does notnecessarily limit him or her to a simple inexpensive tie-tack thatmaintains no fashion statement. Alternatively, a shirt pocket and flapcombination can be useful without the need of a chain or pin clipcombination.

An exemplary embodiment includes a Tie-Pocket Shirt for securing a freeend of a necktie that has a stylish pocket naturally found in thecentral lower (e.g., belly-button) section of a shirt where the end ofthe necktie is worn, such as two thirds of the way down from the centerof the front-collar of the shirt. The pocket's flap can be tucked intoor hung over the pocket as needed or desired by the user. A chainincluding a pin-clip assembly on one end and an opposite end of thechain being anchored to the inside of the pockets flap can be utilizedto secure the necktie to the shirt. Although not limited thereto, theshape of the pocket member may be substantially rectangular, V-shaped,cowl-like. The pocket is disposed on the outside of the shirt. Whilewithout securing the free end of the tie, the free end of the tie mayuncontrollably swing loosely such as in windy conditions or risk getcaught in machinery equipment while a user is working, a pocketaccording to the exemplary embodiment would allow the user to tuck theflap end of the necktie into the centered pocket, and clip it with achain pin-clip for its secure fit.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a pocket 100 including a pocketbody 10, a flap 20 and a securing member 30, such as a chain assembly.Pocket 100 may be constructed similar to a standard dress shirt pocketthat is placed on the upper left chest area of the shirt. However, thepocket 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes flap 20 that is configured anddesigned in such a way that the flap 20 could be tucked into the pocketbody 10 or be pulled out and exposed from the pocket body 10 for any ofa number of uses. The pocket body 10 and flap 20 are directly affixed toa shirt 90, such as a dress shirt. That is, the pocket 100 may beconsidered a separate element that is added to a shirt. In an exemplaryembodiment, the pocket 100 may be attached such as by using regularthread stitching by the original manufacturer.

The pocket body 10 may be substantially rectilinear shaped, such assquare shaped. The pocket body 10 includes edges 12, 14, 16 and 18.Edges 12, 14 and 16 are substantially attached to the shirt 90. Aportion or an entire of edge 18 is not attached to the shirt 90 andprovides access to an inner face of the pocket body 10. The edge 18includes an opening into which the flap 20 may be accommodated when theflap 20 is folded down and tucked into the pocket body 10.

The flap 20 is attached at an upper edge 28 to a front of the shirtpanel 96 (See, FIGS. 4-6). The flap includes edges 26, such as disposedat an angle, that may be exposed outside of the pocket body 10.

Chain assembly 30 may include a clip 32, pin 34, extension 36 and anchor38 (FIG. 3). The chain assembly 30 is anchored to the flap 20 of thepocket 100, such as at a central portion of the flap 20. The extension36 and pin 34 protrude from an outer side 24 of the flap 20. The clip 32and the pin 34 are configured for removable connection to each other. Inan exemplary embodiment, the extension 36 may be a chain. Hereinafter,extension 36 may be referred to as a chain. The chain 36 is connected ata first end to the pin 34 and at a second end to the flap 20.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the pocket 100 with the flap 20tucked into the pocket body 10. The flap 20 is configured such thatedges 26 may be accommodated by the pocket body 10. The attachment edge28 of the flap 20 may be a substantially same length or shorter than theupper edge 18 (e.g., the opening) of the pocket body 10. The flap 20 isaccommodated in the pocket body 10 such that the flap 20 is disposedsubstantially flat against the shirt panel 96. As illustrated, the flap20 and the pocket body 10 may be separate parts of the pocket 100, eachbeing individually attached to a shirt 90 (FIG. 4).

The pin 34 is combined with the clip 32 and the clip 32 is exposed on anoutside of the pocket body 10. A protruding portion of the pin 34 maypenetrate the pocket body 10 and be inserted into the clip 32 such thatthe pin 34 and the clip 32 are combined. In the illustrated embodiment,the chain 36 and the pin 34 are positioned inside of the pocket body 10(e.g., between an inner face of the pocket body 10 and the outer side 24of the flap 20) when the flap 20 is tucked into the pocket body 10. Inexemplary embodiments, a tie 80 (FIG. 4) may be tucked into the pocket100 with or without being anchored to the chain assembly 30.

FIG. 2 also demonstrates an exemplary embodiment of a location where theclip 32 of the chain assembly 30 could be affixed should the chainassembly 30 be used to anchor an object that is disposed on the shirt,such as a tie 80 (FIG. 4). Alternatively, the flap 20 and an entire ofthe chain assembly 30 may be tucked into the pocket body 10 without thechain assembly 30 being attached to the pocket body 10, such that thechain 36, pin 34 and clip 32 would not be visible on the outside of thepocket 100.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a front perspective view of thepocket 100 including the flap 20 being flipped up, such as pivoting atthe upper edge 28 of the flap 20, while the flap 20 is attached to theshirt 90. The anchor 38 of the chain assembly 30 can be viewed from theunderside 22 of the flap 20. The anchor 38 underneath the flap 20 of thepocket 100 secures the chain 36 and pin 34 such that the chain assembly30 extends from the underside 22 of the flap 20 to the outer side 24.The chain 36 is connected at the first end to the pin 34 and at thesecond end to the anchor 38.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a shirt 90 including a collar 92,neck opening 94 and front panel 96. The pocket 100 is disposed on thefront panel 96, such as at a lower middle portion thereof. A tie 80 isillustrated tucked into the pocket body 10. The tie 80 is disposed onand contacts the outerside 24 of the flap 20 while the flap 20 is alsotucked into the pocket body 10.

The chain assembly 30 including the chain 36, pin 34 and clip 32 areanchored from the pocket 100 to the tie 80. In an exemplary embodiment,since the chain 36 and pin 34 protrude from the outerside 24 of the flap20, the chain 36 and pin 34 are positioned between the outerside 24 ofthe flap 20 and the tie 80. A part of the pin 34 may penetrate the tie80 in a direction from the flap 20 to a front (e.g., visible) side ofthe tie 80 such that the part of the pin 34 can be combined with theclip 32. The clip 32 is combined with the pin 34 and is exposed to theoutside of the tie 80, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Advantageously, the tie80 is attached via the chain assembly to the pocket 100 and to the shirt90, and a free end of the tie 80 is safely secured in the pocket body10.

FIG. 5 is another exemplary embodiment of a shirt 90 including a pocket100 and a tie 80 secured to the shirt 90. The tie 80 is shown as hangingon an outside of and over a portion of the pocket body 10, but stillwith the chain 36 and pin 34 clipped to the tie 80 for a secure fit.

The chain assembly 30 including the chain 36, pin 34 and clip 32 areanchored from the pocket 100 to the tie 80. The chain 36 and pin 34protrude from the outerside 24 of the flap 20 and the chain 36 extendsfrom the flap 20 to the tie 80. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5,a portion of the chain 36 is disposed between the outerside 24 of theflap 20 (e.g., tucked into the pocket 100) and an inner face of thepocket body 10 . A remaining portion of the chain 36 would extend out ofthe open part of edge 18 of the pocket body 10 to be connected to thetie 80 via the pin 34 and the clip 32. This remaining portion of thechain 36 would remain covered and not visible by tie 80.

The pin 34 may penetrate the tie 80 in a direction from the flap 20 to afront (e.g., visible) side of the tie 80 such that a portion of the pin34 can be combined with the clip 32. The clip 32 is combined with thepin 34 and is exposed to the outside of the tie 80, as illustrated inFIG. 5. Advantageously, the tie 80 is attached via the chain assembly tothe pocket 100 and to the shirt 90, and a free end of the tie 80 issafely secured in the pocket body 10.

FIG. 6 is another exemplary embodiment of a shirt 90 including a pocket100 but without a tie being attached. The pocket 100 is illustrated in aclosed arrangement including the flap 20 folded at the attachment edge28 and disposed over a portion of the pocket body 10. The chain 36 isvisible at a front of the shirt 90 and clipped to a middle of the pocketbody 10.

The chain 36 and pin 34 protrude from the outerside 24 of the flap 20and the chain 36 extends from the flap 20 to an outer face of the pocketbody 10. The pin 34 as illustrated in FIG. 6, penetrates the pocket body10 in a direction from the outer face of the pocket body 10 towards aninner face (e.g., a non visible inside of the pocket) such that the pin34 can be combined with the clip 32. The clip 32 is combined with thepin 34 and is not visible to the outside of the shirt 90, while the pin34 is exposed at a front side of the pocket 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, a shirt pocket and flap combination can beuseful without the need of a chain or pin clip combination. FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a shirt 90 including the pocket100 disposed on a lower middle portion of a front panel 96, whereby anadditional securing means is omitted.

Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the shirt pocket and flapcombination illustrated in FIG. 7 include flap 20 located above thepocket body 10 and tucked into the pocket body 10, whereby a free end ofa tie 80 may also be tucked into the pocket body 10. The tie 80 isdisposed on and contacts the outerside 24 of the flap 20 while the flap20 is tucked into the pocket body 10.

Without the tie 80, a thickness of the flap 20 fills a space between thepocket body 10 and the shirt panel 26 when the flap 20 is tucked intothe pocket 100. However, when the tie 80 is also tucked in the pocket100 and disposed between the flap 20 and an inner surface of the pocketbody 10 as shown in FIG. 7, the inner space of the pocket 100 is furtheroccupied with a thickness of the tie 80. The flap 20 and tie 80 areessentially pressed or held contacting with each other by the pocketbody 10 and the shirt panel 96 because of an increased thicknessoccupying the inside of the pocket 100. The flap 20 when tucked in,presses the back of the tie 80 forward (or up), while the pocket body 10presses the front of the tie 80 back (or down), thereby sandwiching thetie 80 between the flap 20 and the pocket body 10 (e.g., causing afriction force between the flap 20 and the tie 80) and securing the endof the tie 80 in the pocket 100 without requiring an additional securingmeans.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, dimensions of the flap 20 areconfigured such that the flap 20 can be hidden or covered by the freeend of the tie 80 when the tie 80 is tucked into or hanging over thepocket 100.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying outthis invention, but that the invention will include all embodimentsfalling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A Tie-Pocket Shirt for securing a necktie, comprising: a front shirtpanel, a pocket disposed on the front shirt panel and including: apocket body attached to the front shirt panel; and a flap attached tothe front shirt panel directly above the pocket body and including anunder side and an outer side; wherein when the flap and necktie aretucked into the pocket and disposed between the front shirt panel andthe pocket body, the tie is held in place within the pocket.
 2. TheTie-Pocket Shirt of claim 1, further comprising a securing memberincluding: a first end attached to the under side of the flap; a secondend disposed at the outer side of the flap, the second end beingattached to an object disposed on the shirt; an anchoring memberdisposed at the first end and visible at the underside of the flap; apin member and a clip member disposed at the second end, configured tobe combined with each other and attach to the object disposed on theshirt, and an extended member connecting the first end and the secondend of the securing member.
 3. The Tie-Pocket Shirt of claim 2, whereinwhen the flap and necktie, along with the pin/clip and extended memberare tucked into the pocket and disposed between the front shirt paneland the pocket body, should a user choose not expose the securing memberand secure the tie, the tie is held in place within the pocket.
 4. TheTie-Pocket Shirt of claim 1, wherein when the flap is tucked into thepocket the necktie can rest over the pocket, such that the flap is notexposed.
 5. The Tie-Pocket Shirt of claim 2, wherein the pocket bodyincludes a first edge, a second edge and a third edge attached to thefront shirt panel, and a fourth edge disposed at an upper portion of thepocket and including an open portion; and wherein the flap includes afifth edge attached to the front shirt panel, and a sixth edge and aseventh edge free to bend along the fifth edge of the flap.
 6. TheTie-Pocket Shirt of claim 5, wherein the fourth edge of the pocket bodyis configured to accommodate a portion of the sixth and seventh edges ofthe flap, and when the flap is bent along the fifth edge of the flap,the flap is disposed between the pocket body and the front shirt panel.7. The Tie-Pocket Shirt of claim 6, wherein when the flap isaccommodated in the pocket body, the second end of the securing memberis visible at a front side of the shirt.
 8. The Tie-Pocket Shirt ofclaim 6, wherein when the flap is accommodated in the pocket body, theobject disposed on the shirt is held between a first member and a secondmember of the second end of the securing member and the second end ofthe securing member is visible at a front side of the object.
 9. TheTie-Pocket Shirt of claim 5, wherein when the sixth and seventh edges ofthe flap are bent along the fifth edge of the flap, and the flapoverlaps a portion of a front side of the pocket body, the second end ofthe securing member is attached to the pocket body and visible at thefront side of the pocket body.
 10. The Tie-Pocket Shirt of claim 2,wherein the object disposed on the shirt is the necktie.
 11. TheTie-Pocket Shirt of claim 2, wherein the object disposed on the shirt isthe pocket body.